Immigration and Integration of

Immigrants in Canada's Territories

byRobert Vineberg

February 17, 2009

PurposePurposeProvide an overview of immigration to Canada’s three northern territories

Review the history of immigration to the territories

Examine the current situation Suggest future directions for the immigration policies of the territories

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A Little Bit of HistoryA Little Bit of HistoryPost-aboriginal migration driven

by resources Furs Metals Diamonds Oil and Gas

Impact of ImmigrationNeed to ensure distinct character

and culture of North maintained

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The Hudson Bay The Hudson Bay CompanyCompany

Chartered in 1670 Grant of Rupert’s Land and the North-Western Territory

Administrative ResponsibilitiesInitial Migration

Canadiens Selkirk Settlers

Rivalry with the Northwest Company

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The Great PurchaseThe Great PurchaseConfederationCanada’s western aspirationsRoyal Charter to reviewed

Decline of the fur trade HBC ownership more interested in land and land development

3 way negotiations (Canada, UK and HBC) lead to purchase of Rupert’s Land and the N-W Territory in 1870

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Administration of the Administration of the NWTNWT

Capital and Lt. Governor in Winnipeg

“Postage Stamp” province of Manitoba carved out of NWT Manitoba – 12,000 in 1871 NWT – 29,000 in 1871

NWMP establishedComing of the Railway

By 1901 – almost 500,000 on the Prairies

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Klondike Gold!Klondike Gold!Discovered in1895Gold rush reaches peak in 1898Dawson City grows to est.

40,000NWMP set up border posts Separate Yukon Territory

created in 1898Gold rush ends

Population of Yukon drops to 8,500 Territorial status remains

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TodayToday

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The Air AgeThe Air Age

Post-WW1 bush pilotsExploration of the north for

resourcesMigration largely from the south Some overseas migration starting

in 70s and 80s with growth of territorial administrations in the North Most working in government and related fields (education & health care)

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Immigration & the Immigration & the Territories TodayTerritories Today

Large aboriginal populationRelatively small immigrant and Visible

Minority population

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Canada's Territories - Population Overview

Total Aboriginal % Immigrant % Visible %Territory Population Population Aboriginal Population Immigrant Minority VM

Yukon 30,190 7,580 25% 3,005 10.0% 1,220 4.0%NWT 41,060 20,635 50% 2,815 6.9% 2,270 5.5%Nunavut 29,325 24,915 85% 455 1.6% 420 1.4%

Total 100,575 53,130 53% 6,275 6.2% 3,910 3.9%

Source: Census of Canada 2006 - Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Immigration & the Immigration & the Territories TodayTerritories Today

Most immigration has gone to the three capital cities

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Canada's Territories - Population Overview by City

Total Aboriginal % Immigrant % Visible %City Population Population Aboriginal Population Immigrant Minority VM

Whitehorse 20,290 4,100 20% 2,295 11.3% 1,220 6.0%Yellowknife 18,510 4,105 22% 2,140 11.6% 2,270 12.3%Iqaluit 6,085 3,650 60% 235 3.9% 195 3.2%

Source: Census of Canada 2006 - Statistics Canada, Ottawa

Immigration & the Immigration & the Territories TodayTerritories Today

Source Facts and Figures 2007 – Citizenship and Immigration Canada

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Canada's Territories - Immigration 1998-2007  

   

         

Year Yukon NWT Nunavut Total

       

1998 62 63 n/a 125

1999 76 58 14 148

2000 59 83 12 154

2001 65 95 13 173

2002 50 60 12 122

2003 59 94 9 162

2004 62 89 8 159

2005 64 84 12 160

2006 64 98 9 171

2007 86 88 19 193

Immigration & the Immigration & the Territories TodayTerritories Today

Source: Facts and Figures 2007 – Citizenship and Immigration Canada

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Canada's Territories - Stock of Temporary Workers

(as of December 1)

Year Yukon NWT Nunavut Total

2003 77 250 33 360

2004 98 271 33 402

2005 96 285 44 425

2006 108 274 47 429

2007 158 308 55 521

Immigration & the Immigration & the Territories TodayTerritories TodayPrimary immigration figures are

not sufficient to account for the numbers of immigrants in the northern population The immigrant population of 6,275 in

2006, would suggest perhaps 300 immigrants per year over the last 20 years

Relatively large numbers of immigrants, originally destined to cities in the southern parts of Canada, have been drawn to the north by the same factors that draw Canadians

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Federal Territorial Federal Territorial RelationsRelations

All 3 territories work closely with CIC

But all are at different stages of engagement

To date, only Yukon has a framework agreement and a TNP agreement First in 2001 Current agreements signed in May 2008

GNWT is showing interest in a TNP agreement 15

CIC PresenceCIC PresenceOne person office in Whitehorse Supported by CIC Prince George

One person office in Yellowknife Supported by CIC Edmonton

Nunavut serviced by CIC Winnipeg Assisted by officer in Yellowknife

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Settlement ServicesSettlement Services In Yukon, SPO is the Association Franco-

Yukonaise 2008-09:

ISAP: $93,836 LINC: $85,820 HOST: $34,178

In NWT the major SPO is Aurora College 2008-09:

• Comprehensive contract for $156,122 Also ISAP contract for francophone settlement

with the Féderation Franco-TéNoise for $60,000 No settlement services to date in

Nunavut17

Enhanced Language Enhanced Language TrainingTrainingRecently offered in both Yukon and NWT

In Yukon, SPO is Yukon College 2008-09 contract for $111,274 and Government of Yukon contributing an additional $26,190

In NWT, SPO is Aurora College Contract to June 2009 for $57,621

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Territorial OrganizationTerritorial OrganizationYukon – Department of Education

NWT – Department of Education Culture and Employment

Nunavut – Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs

All three members of CIC’s FPT Planning Table

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Territorial Nominees Territorial Nominees ProgramProgram

Only Yukon has a Nominees Program Hit high gear in 2008

Critical Impact Worker Category created in November 2007

Inception to December 2008: 299 principal applicants 201 of them in the Critical Impact category

Yukon likely to surpass NWT as major Northern Destination

Yukon also interested in TFW annex

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NGOsNGOsFrancophone Associations in Yukon and NWT as noted earlier

Newcomers Ethno-Cultural Centre in Yellowknife

ChurchesIslamic Centre of YellowknifeChambers of Commerce supportive of immigration but no specific programs in place

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Policy Implications - 1Policy Implications - 1NWT and Nunavut only provinces or territories without means to select own immigrants Costs of the program is a concern But cost of not doing so must be considered E.g.: diamond cutters and polishers

Propose contracting with another jurisdiction for program delivery

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Policy Implications - 2Policy Implications - 2Promotion

Yukon making good use of web site to promote immigration and deliver TNP NWT and Nunavut need to do the same Portal funding available – agreements

in place with Yukon and NWT

◦All three territories should recruit immigrants from southern Canada Québec model

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Policy Implications - 3Policy Implications - 3Settlement

NWT need to press CIC to ensure all available settlement funding is spent and spent effectively

Capacity in more NGOs needs to be developed Recommend use of Small Centres

Toolbox Immigration needs to be regarded as a “whole of government” issue: Especially: housing, schooling, health

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Policy Implications - 4Policy Implications - 4Balancing Immigration and needs of the Aboriginal Population Indigenous population must be provided all the advantages offered to immigrants

Benefits of immigration must be clear to all citizens of the territories

Cooperation All three levels of government need to work together and all three territories can benefit by working together on Immigration issues

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Thank you!Thank you!

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CreditsCredits

Text Notes ◦ Please see my paper, “Immigration and Integration of

Immigrants in Canada’s Territories”

Illustrations◦ Polar Bear Illustrations from “First People” website:

http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Links/link2us.html

Maps◦ Territorial Evolution of Canada Maps from the Atlas of

Canada (Natural Resources Canada) from the Library and Archives Canada website: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/confederation/023001-2101-e.html

◦ Map of the Territories from the Natural Resources Canada Website: http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/reference/provincesterritories/northern_territories

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